The Business of Meetings 140: All About Psychedelics with Matt Zemon
The Business of Meetings – Episode 140 - All About Psychedelics with Matt Zemon
Today, we are speaking with Matt Zemon, the Founder, and CEO of HAPPŸŸ. He is joining us to discuss a fascinating topic most of us know nothing about, even though many are curious about it.
Matt has just written a book called Psychedelics for Everyone. He has a degree in psychology and neuroscience and is a member of EO. He joins us today to share his knowledge, experience, and understanding- and some unexpected and eye-opening statistics, on psychedelic treatment for PTSD!
Matt’s entrepreneurial journey
Matt is good at building businesses. He built several before qualifying for EO and a few more while in EO. However, nothing changed after hitting different goals and milestones, and it did not satisfy him. Then, about three years ago, some trusted friends suggested trying a guided psychedelic experience. He liked the idea of learning about himself differently, so he took part in one, and it blew his mind wide open! That sparked his interest as an entrepreneur, and he wanted to learn more about it and get involved.
Psychedelics for Everyone
Matt dove right in, getting a Master’s in psychology and neuroscience and attending many different psychedelic conferences and webinars. Then, about a year ago, he built a company called Psychable to create a directory of psychedelic-friendly practitioners with hundreds of pieces of easy-to-find relevant content. Then he put that content together in a medically-reviewed book, Psychedelics for Everyone, along with some personal stories, to give those who know nothing about psychedelics an understanding of how psychedelics could impact them, the people they love, or their communities.
Ketamine
Ketamine is the only psychedelic that is legal in all fifty states in the US. It is a powerful medicine that we can use for depression, anxiety, OCD, and substance-use disorders.
Clinical trials
The FDA allows MDMA (Ecstacy) and psilocybin use in clinical trials.
MDMA
There has been a 67% success rate in clinical trials using just two sessions of MDMA for people with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder. So MDMA should be legal federally as a medicine within two years.
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms”. There have been some incredible results in clinical trials using psilocybin for people with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. It has also been proven effective with terminal patients and substance abuse.
Drugs
In the 1970s, there were campaigns to lead people to believe that all drugs, including psychedelics, were addictive and bad. Those campaigns were not truth-based, however. They were just a political tactic that had nothing to do with science.
Research
Before 1970, researchers were doing thousands of studies on the power of psychedelic medicine. But they were forced to stop due to the prohibition. In the last ten years, however, there has been a resurgence of academic research, and currently, 309 institutions are studying the benefits of psychedelics.
Anti-depressants
Anti-depressants are ineffective for 40% of those who try them. Even when they do work, there are lots of side effects, including sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal problems, and suicidal ideation in young people. So another option is sorely needed, especially for veterans returning from wars unable to function normally.
The side-effects of psychedelics
There are very few short-term side effects from psychedelics. Sometimes, people may experience some nausea, and there is always dissociation which is a necessary feature. But they have no long-term side effects, and many psychedelics have no lethal dose.
Risks
Drugs like ketamine are serious and must get treated with respect. Recreational use has led some people have become addicted to it. However, it is the only psychedelic with an addiction risk, and no one using it medicinally in clinical studies has become addicted.
Danger
Psychedelics are unlikely to cause any danger for those using them or for others.
How ketamine works in the brain
Ketamine alters glutamine activity and increases BDNF in the brain. That increases neuroplasticity and synaptic strength. It also turns down the default mode network in the brain. So it can provide relief from worry and anxiety. Disassociation side-effects unlock subconscious thoughts and repressed memories, and emotions. So it removes shame, blame, and guilt, and with some people, it also awakens a spiritual effect.
Connecting and caring
Psychedelic medicines can help people to connect better with one another and care more for others.
Different models
Many different models are available for entrepreneurs to provide psychedelic therapy through business-controlled health centers. Various financial and ethical issues still have to be ironed out. But Matt believes that thousands of opportunities exist for entrepreneurs to create businesses to provide mental health care in America.
Microdosing
Microdosing means taking a minute dose of mushrooms or LSD. It is very popular. If done correctly, you will not feel it, so you can still work and do whatever you usually do.
Download Matt’s free guide to microdosing to learn about the different protocols and the latest research.
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Download Matt’s free guide to microdosing
Recommended books:
A Really Good Day: How Microdosing Made a Mega Difference in My Mood, My Marriage